Xtra Time Web Desk: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday wrote to Cricket Australia seeking relaxation of strict quarantine protocol in Brisbane for the fourth test match. The Indian cricket board reminded its counterpart that they had already undergone strict isolation upon their arrival to Australia and it was part of their agreement at the beginning of the tour.
It is learnt that a top BCCI executive has written to CA head Earl Eddings citing to him the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two Boards on the modalities of the tour which never had any specification on two hard quarantines in separate cities.
The Brisbane Test is due to start on January 15 and the quarantine rules will restrict the players to just their hotel rooms after day’s play.
“The discussions are still on but today BCCI has formally sent a letter seeking relaxation of hard quarantine for its players if they are to have the match in Brisbane,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.”The MoU that was signed never mentioned about two hard quarantines. India have done one hard quarantine in Sydney (practice and back to hotel room),” he added.
It is learnt BCCI wants a bio-bubble similar to what it was in place during the IPL in UAE. The players of the respective teams could mingle with each other inside the hotel bio-bubble like they did in the IPL and have their meals together inside the hotel. They can also have the team meetings together.
“All we want is IPL style bio-bubble.” The Indian players have been put under hotel quarantine in Sydney, the venue for the ongoing third Test, and skipper Ajinkya Rahane made his displeasure evident when he spoke how it was “challenging to stay in hotel” when outside city looked “normal”.
It goes to be seen if Cricket Australia is willing to comply with the request from BCCI.